Poor insulation makes one-third of French homes dangerous during hot weather. The Foundation for Housing reports these buildings turn deadly when temperatures rise. Last summer alone, extreme heat killed 3,700 people across France. European heat waves claimed nearly 50,000 lives during the same period. Politicians from seven different parties want emergency action.
Yasmine lives with her husband on the thirteenth floor of an eighteen-story apartment building north of Paris. Their home lacks shutters and proper cooling systems. The couple takes five daily showers because sweat covers their bodies constantly. When outside temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius, their apartment heats up to 43 degrees. Black curtains block sunlight but trap hot air inside.
Foundation climate expert Maida Olivier says 40 percent of French housing lacks adequate sun protection. Many landlords refuse to install shutters or cooling equipment for tenants. Low-income families suffer most from overheating homes during summer months. The Foundation has issued warnings about uninhabitable housing for three years. Building owners often ignore tenant complaints about dangerous indoor temperatures.
The proposed legislation would force landlords to install sun protection systems. Tenants could demand proper shutters and cooling equipment from property owners. Financial help would encourage landlords to make necessary improvements quickly. The law would ban electricity shutoffs year-round to protect fan usage. Housing advertisements must display summer comfort ratings under the new rules.
Yasmine lives with her husband on the thirteenth floor of an eighteen-story apartment building north of Paris. Their home lacks shutters and proper cooling systems. The couple takes five daily showers because sweat covers their bodies constantly. When outside temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius, their apartment heats up to 43 degrees. Black curtains block sunlight but trap hot air inside.
Foundation climate expert Maida Olivier says 40 percent of French housing lacks adequate sun protection. Many landlords refuse to install shutters or cooling equipment for tenants. Low-income families suffer most from overheating homes during summer months. The Foundation has issued warnings about uninhabitable housing for three years. Building owners often ignore tenant complaints about dangerous indoor temperatures.
The proposed legislation would force landlords to install sun protection systems. Tenants could demand proper shutters and cooling equipment from property owners. Financial help would encourage landlords to make necessary improvements quickly. The law would ban electricity shutoffs year-round to protect fan usage. Housing advertisements must display summer comfort ratings under the new rules.
